Blessed with the weather despite it being September, Seaford arrived at Isfield (Another great bunch of lads) with another overseas player in tow? This time a South African skipper who was allegedly quick?

WG won the toss and proceeded to bat first. As usual in an attempt to satisfy everyone the Skipper opened with father and son - Martin and James Fellows? Martin was desperate to bat higher than 11 and be given the opportunity of a longer bat?

Plus Junior had got a duck the day before and was desperate to swing the willow!!

Well he stayed out there longer then his son?? J. Fellows fell first for a quick 21 as a result of some nice boundary shots. The South African Skipper was not as frightening as expected but bowled a tidy line at pace.

Fellows Senior did not last many balls later and was cleaned bowled for 1. Seaford were surprised he did not move his feet much especially as he was an opener???  (I did explain it was Sunday and he was usually 11)

H. Williams and E. Chasseud then settled the ship and put together a steady partnership. Chasseud falling first to an LBW shout where trigger M. Fellows was up in an instant before the screams of 'Howzat' or should I say half hearted shouts could be muttered? 

E. Chasseud did not complain and walked off for 11. 

With H. Williams at the crease he was joined by Brinky and the two of them attacked the bowling in their usual style, H. Williams making 37 and Brinky 38. Hall came in after H. Williams and played some delightful strokes for 13 but swung at one too many. Skipper Tasker middled one to the boundary, tried another, middled a treat and was caught at the mid wicket boundary - same old story?

After Brinky fell trying to push the score along quickly, Bailey and Barrett hurried things along, Bailey playing a smashing cameo and finishing with 24 not out, getting full benefit of some cracking shots. Barrett kept him company for some time before falling for 7 with one ball to go before tea. Fantom went out to face for the hell of it?

WG finished on 175 for 8, very respectable.

Tea was taken, a J. Fellows affair. Annie had produced some excellent baking, Sponge Cake, Scones and Meringues, An excellent spread.

Seaford commenced there run chase in top gear. Fantom from the top end was erratic and bowled too short. When he got it right he was unplayable, but alas he could not get it right enough?

Barrett opened from the bottom end (To his great shock?) and bowled quite a tidy line and economically. But we could not get the breakthrough so Hall came up the hill and picked up 2 wickets with 2 excellent catches by Fantom at gulley and H. Williams at short mid-wicket.

The score was moving quite steadily along and it appeared Seaford would cruise to victory. M. Fellows and H. Buckle had a few overs each but no luck and the runs kept on coming. The Skipper being totally unselfish decided he would not bowl despite being in the wickets and brought on Brinky from the top end and H. Williams from the bottom.

Wickets began to tumble, the pressure started to build, they required 5 per over with 4/5 overs remaining - do they hit boundaries or run quick singles? Each batsmen had there own ideas? The Skipper brought the field up to stop quick singles, some excellent stops were made as Seaford ran like mad! 

Brinky calling for catches he could not reach? Destroying all 3 stumps and creating a crater the size of Wales when they were all uprooted in an attempted run out? With the Director of Cricket looking on we thought he would burst a blood vessel?  

Last over and Seaford hit the winning runs with 2 balls remaining. 176 for 7.

Brinky finished with excellent figures of 9 overs, 4 for 27. Another excellent clash and a better result than expected, we certainly put up a good fight.

It was great to see Tim Knight (especially as he is on the mend) Colin (love the holiday whiskers) and David observing most of the game from the boundary. Also thanks to Steph for an excellent job of umpiring after tea. 

Another excellent Sunday friendly played in true WG spirit with an exciting finish and full participation by all concerned.